mirar hacia otro lado
/miɾaɾ aθja otɾo lado/from spelling rules
To look away in Spanish is to mirar hacia otro lado.
The phrase mirar hacia otro lado is used both literally, to describe the physical act of turning one's eyes in a different direction and figuratively, to describe the act of ignoring a problem or an injustice.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb mirar (to look), the preposition hacia (towards) and otro lado (another side).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone looked away in the past, change the verb mirar to the preterite form miró, resulting in miró hacia otro lado.
How do you pronounce it?
/miɾaɾ aθja otɾo lado/
Did you know?
- The word mirar comes from the Latin word mīrārī, which meant 'to marvel at'. This is the same root that gives English the word 'miracle'.
- In Spanish, the phrase mirar hacia otro lado can describe a specific type of social complicity where someone chooses to ignore a crime or injustice to avoid getting involved.
- While mirar is used in mirar hacia otro lado, Spanish distinguishes it from ver, because mirar implies a conscious intention to direct one's gaze.
Examples in context
- Por favor, desvíe su mirada, necesito un momento de privacidad.Please look away, I need a moment of privacy.
- Aparta la mirada, esto puede ser un poco embarazoso.Look away, this can be a bit embarrassing.
- Voltea la cabeza cuando pase esa escena.Turn your head when that scene comes up.
- Desvía la vista, no quiero que veas esto.Look away, I don't want you to see this.
- Ella miró hacia otro lado para no ver el accidente.She looked away so as not to see the accident.
- Ella tuvo que mirar hacia otro lado por la vergüenza.She had to look away because of embarrassment.
- Él prefirió mirar hacia otro lado para evitar la discusión.He preferred to look away to avoid the argument.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are watching a scary movie together.
- Daniel¡Esa escena es demasiado fuerte!That scene is too intense!
- ElenaNo te preocupes, puedes mirar hacia otro lado.Don't worry, you can look away.
- DanielNo puedo, me da mucha curiosidad.I can't, I'm too curious.
- ElenaPues entonces cierra los ojos, Daniel.Then just close your eyes, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacia, lado, mirar, otro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
